For a generation of Connecticut television viewers he was known as the “Money Man.” Jim Vicevich was a business reporter for WFSB for thirteen years in the 80s and 90s, and was a reliable mainstay in a period of tremendous economic change. He filed his first report for Channel 3 as the Carter malaise came to a close, covered the boom of the Reagan era, and signed off shortly after the first President Bush was sent into retirement.
To give you a sense of just how big of a deal Jim was back then, whenever he would walk into a lending institution during the banking crisis of the early 90s, employees began to sweat. They instantly knew that the Money Man knew what they didn’t know; that their bank was closing. Jim Vicevich had great sources.
I was a Channel 3 rookie then, and after watching a couple of Jim’s reports I had doubts about whether I could make it here. He was that good; always the consummate journalist, known for breaking big stories and double checking his facts. Whether he was reporting from the Soviet Union or CityPlace, Jim was never unprepared. He spoke with such determination, Denise D’Ascenzo nicknamed him the “Vociferous Vice.” Our news director Mark Effron once told me Jim was “one of the best reporters around.” I learned a great deal from him.
This past Sunday on Face the State, Jim returned to Channel 3 to share details about the current chapter in his life, one he is facing with with determination and optimism. Jim suffers from Lupus, an autoimmune disease that doesn’t get the attention cancer or heart disease receive, but affects millions of people. During our taping, Jim explained how Lupus has changed his life, and how he is using his position to help find a cure. You can watch the segment below.
Seven years ago this month, Jim launched Sound Off Connecticut, a daily show on WTIC AM 1080. He’s been called the “Rush Limbaugh of Connecticut,” but he calls himself simply a proud libertarian. Sound Off is one of the most listened to radio programs in the state.
Also on Sunday, Jim joined our political roundtable discussion with Christine Stuart of ctnewsjunkie.com and Matt DiRienzo of Connecticut Magazine and the Torrington Register Citizen as we talked about the Tom Foley interview and the governor’s race.
Watch Jim right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8797070
Watch Jim in a report from 1988: http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/face-the-state-flashback-the-skyscraper-boom-that-never-happened/
…and this report from 1993 https://dennishouse.wordpress.com/tag/g-fox-department-store/
Watch Tom Foley, Vicevich, Stuart and DiRienzo right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8797070
Watch these segments on other Channel 3 alumni:
Bill O’Reilly http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/bill-oreilly-the-lost-wfsb-tapes/
Gayle King http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/gayle-king-at-wfsb-the-hartford-years/
Mika Brzezinski http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2011/06/23/mika-brzezinski-at-wfsb-the-hartford-years/
Bob Steele http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/tag/bob-steele-wtic-channel-3/
Al Terzi http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/goodbye-big-al/
Melissa Francis http://dennishouse.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/melissa-francis-at-wfsb-the-hartford-years/
Categories: WFSB & WFSB history
Dennis House blog 
I worked with Jim Vicevich at WTAR-TV ( now WTKR-TV) in Norfolk, Virginia. Jim was a new, young reporter who had a great knack for making business stories understandable for viewers not business savvy. So his success in the Hartford market was no surprise. I have followed him on Twitter for the last year or two. So my best wishes to Jim as he battles his health issues.
LikeLike
I also worked with Jim at WTAR. He was a great, ambitious reporter…a little wet behind the ears at the time. However it was easy to see that he was going to be successful.
LikeLike
A beautiful mind joined to a combatuive spirit. Angels are like this.
LikeLike
JIm is a voice in Ct. that everyone should listen to regardless of your political views. His show opens you the the views of people you will very seldom hear in the main stream media outlets. He certainly has expanded my views on various topics as I am sure he will yours, agree with him or not. Keep up the fight, Ct. needs you.
LikeLike
Jim is simply the best. He’s one of the reasons I wanted to be a reporter.
LikeLike
PLEASE HAVE WILLIAM LANDERS ON YOUR SHOW – I WOULD ENJOY SEEING THAT – GAIL WHITRIGHT
LikeLike
I lost my sister to Lupus in 1976, she was 22. Not much was known about it then. Godspeed to Jim…..
LikeLike
feel better soon–always enjoy your program
LikeLike
Always enjoy his morning show—keep on keeping on–God Bless.
LikeLike
Welcome back, Jim! I grew up in Wethersfield watching you on TV and always knew you were the one to trust to get to the bottom of a story. Using your investigative skills, I know you can overcome this disease. Please consider a whole-foods plant-based diet high in fresh, raw fruits & vegetables (especially organic berries, greens, cruciferous veggies) to strengthen your immune system. This has been proven to eliminate numerous auto-immune diseases such as allergies, asthma, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and LUPUS. Here is a brief article by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a board-certified physician specializing in nutrition intervention to treat disease, to get started: http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/Other.aspx Be well!
LikeLike
Jim was an awesome reporter I enjoyed his segments very much the best of luck to him wishing him to get better!
LikeLike
Jim V. is full of shit and often eats “crunchberries”…..He is a hot freakin mess!
LikeLike
I tune in regularly just to hear his rants. It is amazing to hear such passion against the establishment that make this state BRIGHT BLUE1
LikeLike
Can we see this somewhere after the live show? You tube? Rerun?
LikeLike
Kathleen, the link to the segment has now been added to the story above.
LikeLike
I am listening to Jim on the radio. Love that guy. Jim just a comment on Mr. OBama, He is the largest slave owner in the U.S.
LikeLike